“When we heard there’s one man who claims he can erase almost anyone’s phobias in as little as 30 minutes, he had our attention,” Dr. Travis says.

Author and life coach Gary Coxe says he can teach people to control their thoughts. He explains that the nervous system often can't tell the difference between what's real and what's imagined. He says the key to overcoming fear is "changing your emotional hard drive."

Dr. Ashton isn't alone. She and Jasmin, who also says she has an intense fear of snakes, join Gary backstage, where he says he's confident he can help both women conquer, and even embrace, their fears.

"It's been a very emotional show for you," Dr. Travis says. "I still see tears in your eyes."

"I have never experienced anything like this," Dr. Ashton confides. "I almost lost consciousness. At one point, I thought I was going to throw up."